Purpose

To approve the policy in readiness for
publication

Content

It was
RESOLVED: -
 

1.1        
That Cabinet approved Option A and adopted the Household Recycling
and Waste Collections Policy (Appendix A) ahead of ‘Better
Recycling’ going live from June 2026.

 

1.2        
That, Cabinet agreed delegated authority for the Director of
Operations in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Recycling
and Waste, to make technical changes to the Household Recycling and
Waste Collections Policy as required.
 
REASON FOR
DECISION
 
The
decision to develop and adopt the proposed Household Recycling and
Waste Collection Policy was intended to standardise service
delivery across the Mid Suffolk district, ensuring consistency,
fairness, and clarity for all residents.
 
The
Policy aimed to increase recycling rates, reduce contamination, and
ensure compliance with national legislation and guidance, including
the Environment Act 2021 and the Resources and Waste Strategy for
England.
 
The
Policy also sought to provide transparency and accountability by
clearly outlining the level of service residents can expect and
their personal responsibilities in supporting effective waste
management.
 
Importantly, the Policy recognised that there would be
exceptions to the standard service, and provisions had been
included to accommodate specific needs and circumstances where
appropriate.
 
Alternative
Options Considered and Rejected:
 
OPTION B - Do nothing
This
option would not fully support the core aims of Better Recycling,
that is, to increase recycling rates and reduce waste and recycling
contamination.
 
An
outdated policy which does not reflect the current service delivery
model would not support our residents to clearly understand the
waste and recycling services that we provide and would likely lead
to sub-optimal outcomes across the service.
 
OPTION C - Postpone the approval of the Household Recycling and
Waste Collections Policy until early June 2026 when Better
Recycling goes live.
 
Whilst any delay in the Governance process would provide more
time to review and improve the Policy, it could lead to confusion
about the standards and scope for waste and recycling
services.
 
An
extensive communications campaign on Better Recycling is in
progress
and a clearly agreed policy would allow some
inevitable additional questions to be answered through having an
agreed policy position.
 
Our
waste officers would be supported by the Policy and its framework
being in place and this will offer clarity to support both
education and enforcement activities.
 
Any Declarations of Interests
Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None